Do you ever find it hard to do what is right, even though you know what you should do? Perhaps a friend wants you to steal some candy from a store. Or maybe several classmates are making fun of someone. Will you join them or stick up for the child they are laughing at?
Jesus once lived on earth just like us. He knows what it is like to be around people who would try to get us to do bad things. And Jesus is here for us now to help us to do good.
Jesus said to his disciples, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”- John 15:5,8 (NIV)
So how does this work? How do we become a branch on Jesus’ vine so we can bear much fruit? We begin by believing in Jesus and making a promise to him to live for him. We also have to tell him about the sinful things we have done and ask him to forgive us. Then Jesus will live in your heart and help you to live in a way that pleases God. He will also let you live in heaven with him forever when you die.
Doing the right things can still be hard at times, especially if we think we have already done everything God wants. We need to do more than start with Jesus, we need to keep on talking to him in prayer and living to please him. We need to read his book, the Bible, so we will learn more about how Jesus wants us to live. The more we spend time with Jesus in prayer and in the Bible, the more we will be like him. It is also important to go regularly to a church that believes Jesus is the Son of God. Christian teachers, pastors, and friends can help us to learn what the Bible says. They can also help us remain in Jesus and bear much fruit.
Father God, thank you for showing me the way to know you through Jesus. Come and live in my heart. Forgive my sins, especially when I _________________. Help me to always look to you for the strength I need to do the things that please you. Thank you for making me and for showing all people the best way to live together in peace. Amen.
© 2009 by Janice D. Green
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
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